Local Disaster Declaration

How is declaration of local disaster different from a burn ban?​

​A declaration of local disaster may be enacted by the county judge acting alone, subject to approval by the commissioners court within seven days after it is put in place. Additionally, a declaration of local disaster may restrict the use of fireworks more broadly than the commissioners court's ordinary authority and may prohibit outdoor burning that is usually exempt from county regulation. A burn ban requires commissioners court approval and may not restrict certain types of outdoor burning. See Short Answer to Common Questions: Burn Ban, Regulation of Fireworks, and Declaration of Local Disaster.